Student Transportation

In 1996, the Waterloo Region District School Board and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board approved the formation of a co-operative student transportation service to reduce operating costs and provide more efficient student transportation for both Boards.

Following the Student Transportation reform initiated by the government in 2006, the co-operative student transportation service evolved into a consortium. Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region was created in 2007 to deliver safe, effective and efficient student transportation services.

Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) plans, implements, communicates and monitors the transportation of about 31,000 regular and special needs students daily. The service is provided using area school bus operators, six taxi companies and Grand River Transit.

The use of computer software to optimize school bus routing is being implemented across the Boards to supplement previous efficiencies achieved by staggering school bell times, multiple run bus routes, optimal loading, and shared bus routes.

STSWR also co-ordinates the Standing Safety and Bus Patrol programs, and participates in events which highlight student transportation safety, such as School Bus Safety Week, First Rider program and School Bus Driver Professional Development day.

STSWR staff participate in the Ontario Association of School Business Officials – Transportation Committee (OASBO); and the Regional School Traffic Safety Committee and is an associate member of the Ontario School Bus Operators Association.